Sincerity

Lu Shaoyou's gaze swept across Wei Tuo's face, then returned to Scarface Zhang, who was kneeling and begging for mercy.

Blood dripped slowly from the Qi Mei Cudgel in his hand, falling onto the wooden floor with a faint "pat" sound.

"Captain Wei, your method of inviting people is quite unique," Lu Shaoyou's tone carried no discernible emotion.

Wei Tuo plastered a smile on his face and took two steps forward. The gang members behind him also pressed closer, creating an invisible pressure on Lu Shaoyou.

"Little brother, you jest. I see you are skilled and talented. My Giant Whale Gang has always been open to recruiting worthy individuals. If little brother would do me the honor of joining us at our sub-branch for a drink, wouldn't that be most pleasant?"

Scarface Zhang was now so terrified he was about to wet himself. He looked at Wei Tuo tremblingly, then glanced fearfully at Lu Shaoyou.

He was afraid that if Lu Shaoyou brought his cudgel down again, he would end up like his four subordinates.

"There's no need for drinks," Lu Shaoyou replied indifferently. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't impose further." As he spoke, he made a move as if to leave.

This room was dirty and clearly unsuitable for staying in.

"Little brother, wait a moment!" Wei Tuo's voice deepened. "You killed our Giant Whale Gang members here at Dragon Snake Ferry, and you think you can just leave like this?"

The smile vanished from his face, and an ambitious aura emanated from him. "I respect you as a man of courage, which is why I'm speaking with you amicably. If little brother doesn't give me face, then the two to three hundred brothers at our Dragon Snake Ferry sub-branch are not to be trifled with."

"Oh? Is that a threat?" Lu Shaoyou stopped, turned around, and lightly tapped the Qi Mei Cudgel in his hand.

Wei Tuo snorted, "It's not a threat. I'm merely reminding little brother that the waters in Qingzhou are much deeper than you imagine. When you're out and about, having a friend is always better than having an enemy."

"Especially in this lawless territory of Qingzhou. Offending our Giant Whale Gang, you'll find it difficult to move a single step."

He changed tack, smiling meaningfully. "Little brother, I see you are young, yet your martial arts are so formidable. You must be someone of renown.

"You came to Qingzhou with a purpose, didn't you? Perhaps our Giant Whale Gang can offer you some assistance."

"For instance, if you want to inquire about any information, or if there's someone you wish to deal with..."

Wei Tuo's gaze roamed over Lu Shaoyou, as if trying to discern something from his expression.

Lu Shaoyou remained silent, seemingly contemplating Wei Tuo's words.

Scarface Zhang, sensing the tense atmosphere, didn't dare to breathe, only hoping that the captain could subdue this menace so he could escape unscathed.

Just then, Lu Shaoyou moved!

His figure flickered, and everyone saw a blur before their eyes. The dark Qi Mei Cudgel had already thrust out like lightning!

"Pfft!"

A muffled sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh.

Scarface Zhang's body stiffened abruptly. He looked down in disbelief at the tip of the cudgel piercing his chest, his eyes filled with despair and confusion.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but only blood mixed with shattered internal organs gushed out.

[Killed a second-rate martial artist, Slaughter Value +200.]

"You..." Scarface Zhang made a gurgling sound in his throat, his body slumping down, completely lifeless.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.

The seven or eight skilled fighters brought by Wei Tuo all had drastic changes in expression. They instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons, glaring at Lu Shaoyou.

Wei Tuo himself's pupils contracted, and the muscles on his face twitched.

He hadn't expected Lu Shaoyou to dare to kill his man so decisively and cleanly right in front of him! This was blatant provocation!

"Good! Good! Good!" Wei Tuo laughed instead of getting angry, saying "good" three times in a row.

He clapped his hands. "Little brother is indeed extraordinary, decisive in his actions! I, Wei Tuo, like your character!"

The gang members behind him looked at their captain with some confusion, not understanding why he wasn't angry.

Lu Shaoyou withdrew the Qi Mei Cudgel and wiped the bloodstains on Scarface Zhang's clothes with a casual movement. "I don't like trouble. Since they are enemies, there's no need to keep them alive."

"Well said!"

Wei Tuo strode up to Lu Shaoyou, staring at him intently. "Little brother, I admire your skill and your ruthlessness! My offer from before still stands.

"As long as you join my Giant Whale Gang, we will guarantee you can roam freely in Qingzhou! Honor and wealth will be within your grasp!"

"Join you?" Lu Shaoyou raised an eyebrow. "And then, like them, extort protection fees and bully the weak?"

Wei Tuo laughed heartily. "Little brother, that's where you're mistaken! What is 'bullying the weak'? This world is the survival of the fittest! If you don't bully others, others will bully you!

"Our Giant Whale Gang is surviving and developing in these chaotic times! Follow me, and you'll have meat to eat, wine to drink, and women to play with. It's always better than fighting alone, not knowing when you'll end up dead in the street!"

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Moreover, I can see that you, little brother, likely didn't just come to Qingzhou for sightseeing. The killing intent on you doesn't seem like something an ordinary person would possess.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do? Perhaps we can cooperate, and it would be beneficial for both of us."

Lu Shaoyou looked at Wei Tuo, his mind racing.

This Wei Tuo was indeed an ambitious and adaptable figure, with a sharp eye.

"Cooperate?" Lu Shaoyou repeated. "How would we cooperate?"

A sharp glint flashed in Wei Tuo's eyes. "Very simple. You do things for me, and I'll give you what you want. I know that a master like you would never be content to be subservient.

"I don't need you to pledge allegiance to me; we are in an equal partnership."

He paused, then tossed out an even more tempting condition. "Little brother, do you know who is the greatest menace in Qingzhou?"

Lu Shaoyou's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. "I would be glad to hear the details."

"The Blood Saber Sect!" Wei Tuo said, enunciating each word. "This malignant tumor has been entrenched in Qingzhou for many years. They are ruthless and no one dares to provoke them. Although our Giant Whale Gang has some influence on the waterways, we are still inferior to the Blood Saber Sect."

He stared at Lu Shaoyou. "Little brother, with your skill, it would be a waste if you only dealt with a few insignificant underlings."

"Are you interested in doing something big? For example, letting the Blood Saber Sect taste what it's like to have someone come knocking on their door?"

Lu Shaoyou was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "What makes you think I would be interested in the Blood Saber Sect?"

Wei Tuo grinned. "Intuition. A fierce dragon like you, crossing rivers, wouldn't come to Qingzhou just to fish, would you?"

"Moreover, my men reported that when you were on the boat, you inquired about the Blood Saber Sect from the boatman. If you have no connection with the Blood Saber Sect, I won't believe it."

"Well said, Helmsman Wei. Your sources are quite well-informed." Lu Shaoyou's expression changed, and a silent killing intent rose from him.

Wei Tuo's brow furrowed from the killing intent, and he subconsciously clenched his palm, shocked in his heart. "This kid is so young, why does he have more killing intent than me?"

As for the men behind him, they all felt as if they were facing a great enemy. That terrifying killing intent made even them, who were usually lawless, unable to help but change their expressions.

"Don't worry, this helmsman has some dignity and wouldn't make things difficult for that old boatman."

Wei Tuo waved his hand and continued to explain, "You eliminated the Water Snake Gang at Ghost's Reprieve. Although no one witnessed it, only your ship passed by at the time. With a little deduction, it's not hard to figure out."

Upon hearing this, Lu Shaoyou retracted his imposing aura, appearing harmless once more.

His mind raced, and he glanced thoughtfully at the corpses on the ground, a meaningful smile curling up on his lips.

The next moment, he slowly spoke:

"Cooperation is possible, but you must show some sincerity."

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